Container



Se t. 14, 1965 A. E. AMOS 3,206,265

CONTAINER Filed Oct. 2 8, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALFRfD Ev.AMOS ATTORNEY A. E. AMOS Sept. 14, 1965 CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledOct. 28, 1963 INVENTOR. F75 6 ALF/asp f. AMos United States Patent3,206,265 CONTAINER Alfred E. Amos, Fairfield, Conn, assignor to SperryRand Corporation, New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct.28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,233 Claims. (Cl. 312-208) The present inventionrelates to containers and more particularly to the structure disposedwithin the containers to facilitate the positioning and securing of anarticle therewithin.

The present invention finds ready application to contariners utilizedfor the transportation and/ or protection of articles, such as testingor measuring instruments, business machines, or the like, wherein thecontainer is formed of plural sections adapted to be placed injuxtaposition, one with respect to the other, to thereby form a closed,box-like, enclosure for removably receiving the article therewithin.When so disposed within the container the article must be securelypositioned, to prevent movement thereof with respect to the walls of thecontainer and to minimize the transmission thereto of shocks inflictedupon the container, otherwise the article or some of the mechanismsincorporated therein may be damaged.

Many diverse forms of positioning and securing structures have been usedin such containers. Almost invariably said structures are permanentlysecured to the inner surfaces of the container and are of a complexconstruction and operation requiring many expensive parts. This isespecially true where the container is adapted to be disposed in a firstposition to receive the article and in a second position to facilitatetransportation of the article and where the article must be securelyheld while transported and yet be easily removable for subsequent use.Quite often the configuration of the article is modified or elements areadded to the structure of the article for the sole purpose ofcooperating with the positioning and securing structure of thecontainer. In other instances, where the structure of the article is notmodified to facilitate disposition within the container, the positioningand securing structure within the container is of a highly complexconstruction requiring many movable parts to enable cooperation thereofwith the article itself.

The disposition of such positioning and securing structure as permanentfixtures within the container prevents the manufacturer from using thecontainer for more than one business machine model and requires themanufacturer or produce a different container for each business machinemodel made, thus resulting in expensive tooling costs and a largeinventory. The disposition of such positioning and securing structuresas permanent fixtures within the container furthermore prevent theconsumer from using the container for general purposes, such as acarrying case for clothing or the like because the clothing, or othergoods, may get snagged on the structure within the container and eitherdamage same or be damaged thereby.

It is an object of this invention to provide novel structure forremovably positioning and securing an article within a container.

Another object is to provide novel structure, for remova'bly positioningand securing an article within a container, which structure is simple inconstruction and operation, and inexpensive in cost.

Another object is to provide novel structure, for removably positioningand securing an article within a container, which structure is devoid ofparts which are movable for the purpose of so positioning said article.

Still another object is to provide novel structure, for removablypositioning and securing an article within a container, which structureis removable in part to facilitate use of the container for amultiplicity of purposes.

3,206,265 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 A still further object is to providenovel structure, for removably positioning and securing an articlewithin a container, which structure is readily convertible to acceptarticles of different configuration.

A still further object is to provide novel structure, for removablypositioning and securing an article within a container formed of pluralsections which are adapted to be placed in juxtaposition, one withrespect to the other, to form a closed, box-like, enclosure for thepurpose of transporting and/ or protecting said article.

The present invention involves a container formed of plural sectionsadapted to be secured in juxtaposition one with respect to the other toform a closed, box-like, enclosure, and contemplates providing elementson opposing inner walls of said container for the purpose of removablypositioning and securing an article within said container when in itsclosed condition. Disposed on one of said inner walls, in either a fixedor adjustable relationship with respect thereto, is either one or morereceptacles adapted to coact with said article to position same withrespect to said inner walls of said container and limit movement of saidarticle in the longitudinal direction with respect to said inner wallsof said container. Removably disposed on another of said inner walls, inopposing relationship to said receptacle (or receptacles), is either oneor more resilient members adapted to engage a surface of said article,when the container is closed, to apply a pressure thereagainst andestablish a predetermined normal force thereon to prevent movement ofsaid article away from said receptacle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention in its details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specification and accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container showing same in the opencondition and with one form of artic e positioning and securingstructure, which embodies the present invention, disposed on the innersurface of the walls thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the pad supporting insert of FIG. 1removed from the container of FIG. 1 and slightly enlarged to bettershow the details thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front to rear vertical sectional view of the container ofFIG. 1 showing same in the closed condition and with its base sectionhorizontally arranged, and showing furthermore the outline of an articleas it would appear when properly disposed therein;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1showing same in the closed condition and with its base sectionvertically arranged, and showing furthermore an article properlydisposed in the container and the container broken away in part tobetter show the coacting portions of the container and the article;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but showing an article andpad having configurations which are different than the article and padof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;and includes a portion of the case section as it would appear ifdisposed in case closed condition.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the inner surface of the basesection of the container of FIG. 1 showing a modified form of receptacledisposed thereon;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of removable padstructure showing a fragmentary portion of the inner surface of the wallof the container as constructed to receive same; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view in partial section showing thepad of FIG. 9 coacting with an article having a configuration similar tothe artcle of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of thepresent invention, an embodiment thereof is shown utilized in acontainer or carrying case, generally designated by the numeral 21 (FIG.1), in which a business machine or the like, such as a portabletypewriter may be placed, the carrying case serving as a means totransport the business machine or to provide a protective covertherefor. It should be understood however, that the hereinafterdescribed application of the invention to a carrying case for businessmachines, or the like, is for purposes of illustration only inasmuch assubject invention finds ready application to any container adapted toreceive therewithin an article for the purpose of transporting and/ orprotecting same.

A band member 23 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which completely encircles andconstitutes the mid portion of carrying case 21 is formed with a pair ofoppositely disposed channels 25 and 27 (FIG. 3) respectively. A bodymember 29, terminating in an edge 31 which is fixedly secured in channel25, forms with band member 23 a cover section 33 for carrying case 21. Abody member 39, terminating in an edge 41 which is adapted to beremovably received in channel 27, constitutes a base section 43 forcarrying case 21.

A hinge mechanism 51 (FIG. 1), of any appropriate conventionalconstruction, interconnects cover section 33 and base section 43 andpermits pivotal movement of one section with respect to the otherestablish an open condition (FIG. 1) for carrying case 21 and a closedcondition (FIGS. 3 and 4) for carrying case 21. A latch mechanism 61(FIGS. 1 and 4), of appropriate conventional construction, is providedfor securing cover section 33 to base section 43 when carrying case 21is in its closed condition (FIGS. 3 and 4). A handle 71 (FIGS. 1 and 4)also of appropriate conventional construction, is secured to band member23 to facilitate hand carrying of carrying case 21.

A plurality of receptacles or sockets 73 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 6), eachincluding walls 75 defining a first support receiving area 77 and asecond support receiving area 79, are disposed on the inner surface ofbody member 39 in spaced relationship one with respect to the other.Walls 75 which define areas 77 are of a spacing and configurationadapting same to removably receive depending supports or feet 81 (FIGS.3 and 4) of a business machine 83 having an upper surface 85 (FIG. 4).Walls 75 which define areas 79 are of a spacing and configurationadapting same to removably receive depending supports or feet 81a (FIG.of a business machine 83a having an upper surface 85a. As suchreceptacles 73 lend versatility to container 21 whereby either one orthe other of a variety of business machines may be disposed therein aslong as the supports, 81 or 81a, of the respective business machines arespaced at positions corresponding to the spacing of either areas 77 orareas 79. Receptacles 73 may either be formed integral with body member39 or separate therefrom and attached thereto by appropriate means. Theymay be formed either as recesses in the surface of body member 39 if thethickness thereof is sufficient to warrant same, or as elementsprojecting above the surface thereof as shown in the drawings. Althoughreceptacles 73 have been shown with a substantially rectangularconfiguration and with areas 77 and 7 9 of substantially equaldimensions it is understood that any convenient configuration may beused and that areas 77 and 79 need not be similar in eitherconfiguration or dimension. It should be also understood that eithersupport receiving area 77 or support receiving area 79 may be providedwithout the other or if desired additional support receiving areas maybe provided. It should be further understood that although walls 75 ofreceptacles 73 have been shown continuous in form they may also beformed in a discontinuous manner.

Supports 81 and 81a are of a conventional construction and includeresilient material for absorbing shock and vibration to minimizetransmission thereof to and from business machine 83 and 83a.

The inner surface of walls 75 of receptacles 73 coact with the outersurface of supports 81 or 81a to limit movement of business machine 83or 8351 respectively in directions parallel or substantially parallel tothe inner surface of body member 39 of cover section 33 and thusposition business machine 83 or 83:: with the sides thereof spaced fromthe inner surfaces of the sides of container 21. A securing structure 89(FIGS. 1 and 3), removably disposed in cover section 33 of container 21,in the closed condition (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5) of container 21 coacts withupper surface or 85a of business machine 83 or 83a resepctively to applya pressure thereon which is of sufficient magnitude to maintain supports81 or 81a proper ly disposed within their respective receptacles 73.

A pair of locating members 91 (FIGS. 1 and 3), disposed on the innersurface of body member 29 of cover section 33, coact with acorresponding number of locating apertures 93 (FIGS. 2 and 3) providedin an insert or carrier 95 which forms part of securing structure 89 tolocate securing structure 89 within cover section 33. Insert 95 isformed from a flexible material which may be either plastic or metal andto a configuration closely approximating that of the inside surface ofbody member 29. Sides 97 are provided on insert 95 and are sized toprovide a tight but removable fit when insert 95 is proper ly located incover section 33 between body member 29 and band member 23 (FIG. 3). Apair of cups 103 (FIGS. 2 and 3), either formed on or otherwise fixedlysecured to insert 95, are each adapted to receive, either removably orfixedly, either a bumper 105 (FIGS. 3 and 4) or a bumper 105a (FIG. 5)which bumpers, 105 and 105a, are formed of a firm but resilient materialsuch as rubber. An article contacting surface 107 (FIGS. 3 and 4) havinga contour approximating that of upper surface 85 of business machine 83is formed on each bumper 105 while an article contacting surface 107a(-FIG. 5) having a contour approximating that of upper surface 85a ofbusiness machine 83a is formed on each bumper 105a. It should beunderstood that bumpers 105 and 105a may be formed with an articlecontacting surface 107, 107a respectively of any convenient contour.Bumpers 105 and 105a are furthermore formed to a thickness whichrequires a slight compression thereof when carrying case 21 is in itsclosed condition (FIGS. 3, 4, or 5) and has either business machine 83or business machine 83a, respectively, disposed therein. The amount ofcompression is dependent upon the Weight of business machine 83 or 83a,the depth of receptacle 75, and the conditions under which carrying case21 will be transported, amongst other things, and should be sufiicientto develop compressive forces within bumpers 105, 105:: which willresult in the application of normal forces against surfaces 85, 85arespectively of business machines 83, 83a of sufiicient magnitude toprevent movement of supports 81, 81a respectively out of receptacles 73.

With carrying case 21 in its open condition (FIG. 1) and with insert 95positioned within cover section 33 supports 81 of business machine 83are set into support receiving areas 77 of receptacles 73 and coversection 33 is pivoted on hinge mechanism 51 towards base section 43.Such movement of cover section 33 towards base section 43 continuesuntil edge 41 of base section 43 is completely seated within channel 27of band member 23 at which time latch mechanism 61 may be operated tosecure carrying case 21 in its closed condition (FIGS. 3 and 4) Surfaces107 of bumpers 105 are in contact with surface 85 of business machine 83and because bumpers 105 are in a slightly compressed condition thecompressive forces developed therein result in the application ofpredetermined normal forces against surface 85 of business machine 83sufiicient in magnitude to maintain supports 81 of business machine 83within receptacles 73 whether carrying case 21 be disposed with its basesection in either a horizontal position (FIG. 3) or a vertical position(FIG. 4). Some movement of business machine 83 in the longitudinaldirection with respect to the inner surface of base section 33 ofcarrying case 21 will probably occur when carrying case 21 is disposedwith base section 33 thereof in the vertical position (FIG. 4). Suchmovement will be limited by engagement of appropriate supports 81 ofbusiness machine 83 with the corresponding walls 75 of receptacles 73.

When business machine '83, or 8311, is disposed in container 21, asdescribed above, the outer surfaces thereof are spaced from the innersurfaces of container 21 save for the areas where business machines 83,or 83a, contact bumpers 105, or 105a, and where supports 81, or 81a,contact their respective support receiving areas 77 or 79. Any shocksinflicted upon container 21 are absorbed in part by container 21 itself,in part by bumpers 105 or 105a, and in part by supports 81 or 81a withat most only a small portion of said shock being transmitted to businessmachine 83 or 83a itself. As such the delicate mechanisms of businessmachine 83 or 83a, the external walls thereof, and the walls ofcontainer 21, are protected against the damage they would prob-ablysustain if an unduly large amount of said shock were transmitted tobusiness machine 83 or 83a as would occur if the outer surfaces thereofwere not spaced from and secured against coming into contact with theinner surfaces of container 21 as described above.

Removal of business machine 83 from carrying case 21 is accomplished bysetting same upon a sunface with base section 43 thereof horizontallydisposed. Latch mechanism 61 is released and cover section 33 pivoted onhinge mechanism 51 away from section 43 and until carrying case 21 is inits open condition (FIG. 1). Business machine 83 is then lifted untilsupports 81 thereof are removed from receptacles 73.

Conversion of carrying case 21 to -a carrying case of general utilityis'accomplished by grasping insert 95 (FIG. 1) approximately at itsmidpoint, lifting insert 95 until the sides of apertures 93 are clear oflocating members 91, and moving insert '95 in the direction of arrow A(FIG. 1) into that portion of cover section 43 wherein the contour ofbody member 39 is of a greater height than sides 97 Of insert 95. Insert95 is then removed from carrying case 21. Replacement of insert 95 isaccomplished by merely placing locating apertures 93 thereof overlocating members 91 and applying pressure to the surface of insert 95near sides 97 thereof and until sides 97 snap in place between bodymember 29 and band member 23.

Conversion of carrying case 21 to accept a different model businessmachine is accomplished by removing bumpers 105 and replacing same witheither bumpers 105a or other bumpers having a contacting surface with acontour approximating that of the particular model business machine tobe placed in carrying case 21. Instead of replacing bumpers 105 forother bumpers the entire insert 95 may .be replaced by an insert 95having fixedly mounted thereon bumpers with a contacting surface havingthe desired contour.

A positionable receptacle, generally designated by the numeral 73x (FIG.7) and including walls 75x defining a support receiving area 77x, may beprovided on the inner surface of body portion 39 of base section 43instead of receptacles 73 (FIG. 1). A pair of ears 115 (FIG. 7)projecting from walls 75x of receptacles 73x are interconnected by apair of pins 117 to a pair of arms 110 (FIGS. 7 and 8) each one of whichis formed with a slot 121. A stud 123 having a threaded shank 125 (FIG.8) adapted to pass through slot 121 and be threaded ,into an internallythreaded sleeve 127 imbedded into body 39 of base section 43 is formedwith a head 129 adapted to bear against arm 119 and secure same in placeagainst body 39. A boss 131 (FIGS. 7 and 8) may be provided on thesurface of body 39 if required for the proper attachment of sleeve 125thereto.

Adjustment of receptacle 73x to position same for receipt of a support,such as support 81 of business machine 83, is accomplished by looseningstuds 123, pivoting either receptacle 73x on pins 117, and/ or slidingarms 119 along studs 123 until receptacle 73x is properly positioned.Studs 123 are then tightened to secure receptacle 73x in its adjustedposition.

Removal of studs 123 and receptacles 73x entirely from within carryingcase 21 facilitates the use of same as a carrying case of generalutility, or the conversion of same to accept a business machine withsupports of a different configuration by the reinseration of receptacles73x with walls 75x defining a support receiving area 77x correspondingto said different configuration.

A modified form of insert, generally designated by the reference numeralm is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 for use with either a carrying case similarin construction to carrying case 21 of FIG. 1 or with a carrying caseconstructed without band 23. A cup shaped portion 151 (FIG. 10) ofinsert 95m is adapted to receive, either removably or fixedly, a bumpersuch as bumper a (FIGS. 9 and 10) with an article contacting surface107a adapted to engage upper surface 85a of a business machine 83a. Agripping portion 153 of insert 95m is formed with slots 155 thereinadapting same to releasably grip the outer surface 157 of a retainer 159formed on or otherwise attached to the inner surface of body 29 of coversection 33 of carrying case 21. A locating projection 161 extendingradially out from retainer 159 is adapted to coact with a locating slot163 formed in gripping portion 153 of insert 95m.

Removal of insert 95m, for the purpose of converting carrying case 21 toa carrying case of general utility or to accept a business machine withan upper surface having a configuration which does not correspond tosurface of the bumper removed, is accomplished by merely pulling insert95m away from body 29 and until gripping portion 153 thereof separatesfrom retainer 159. An insert 95m, having a bumper therein with acontacting surface corresponding to the upper surface of the businessmachine to he placed within carrying case 21, is then installed incarrying case 21 by merely placing gripping portion 153 of insert 95mover retainer 159 with locating slot 163 of insert 95m aligned withlocating projection 161 of retainer 159 and then apply a forcethereagainst sufficient to seat gripping portion 153 on retainer 159.

From the above description it will thus be seen that novel structure hasbeen provided for positioning and securing an article within a containerfor the purpose of transporting and/ or protecting said article, whichstructure is devoid of parts movable for the purpose of eitherpositioning or securing said article within said container and whichstructure is readily removable for the purpose of converting saidcontainer to a container of general utility or to accept an article of adifferent configuration.

It'is understood that although I have shown the preferred forms of myinvention, that various modifications may be made in the details thereofwithout departing from its spirit as comprehended by the followingclaims:

I claim:

1. A container adapted to removably receive an article therewithin;comprising (a) a first member;

(b) a second member;

(c) interconnecting means coacting with said first member and saidsecond member to releasably secure one to the other with an innersurface of said first member disposed in opposing spaced relationshipwith an inner surface of said second member so as to receive an articletherebetween;

(d) receptacle means disposed on said inner surface of said firstmember, said receptacle means including reaction surfaces adapted tocoact with the article to limit movement of the article in directionssubstantially parallel to the plane of said inner surface; and

(e) pressure means, removably disposed on said inner surface of saidsecond member, having a configuration adapting same to exert pressureupon a surface of the article, when the article is disposed between saidfirst member and said second member and when said first member and saidsecond member are releasably secured together, of sufiicient magnitudeand in a proper direction to prevent the article from moving in adirection away from said first member a distance which will separate thecoacting portions of the article and said receptacle means.

2. The container of claim 1; wherein said receptacle means areadjustably secured to said inner surface of said first member.

' 3. The container of claim 1, including (a) retainer means disposed onsaid inner surface of said second member;

(b) said pressure means including carrier means adapted to be removablypositioned on said retainer means and mounting resilient means adaptedto exert said pressure upon the surface of the artcle; and

(c) locating means for locating said carrier means in a predeterminedposition on said retainer means.

4. A portable container for the transportation and/or protection of anarticle; comprising (a) a base section;

(b) a cover section interfitting with said base section to formtherewith a box like enclosure;

(c) hinge means interconnecting said base section and said cover sectionfor pivotal movement, one with respect to the other, and permittingmovement of same between a position wherein the container is in an opencondition and a position wherein the container is in a closed condition;

(d) latch means for securing the container in said closed condition;

(e) receptacle means disposed on an inner surface of said base sectionand adapted to removably position an article within the container; and

(f) pressure securing means removably disposed within said cover sectionfor coaction with an article when said article is properly positioned'insaid receptacle means and when the container is in said closed conditionto prevent movement of the article out of said receptacle means.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said pressure securing meanscomprises (a) insert means adapted to be removably positioned Withinsaid cover section; and

(b) resilient means carried by said insert means for coaction with thearticle.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said insert means comprises (a) aflexible member formed to a contour approximating that of said coversection;

(b) receiving means disposed on said flexible member for securelyholding said resilient means;

() locating means carried by said flexible member;

(d) said cover section carrying locating means adapted to coact withsaid locating means carried by said flexible member to locate saidflexible member in a predetermined position within said cover section.

7. The container of claim wherein said insert means comprises (a)receiving means adapted to securely hold said resilient means;

(b) gripping elements carried by said receiving means;

(c) first locating means carried by said receiving means;

(d) retainer means carried by said cover section adapted for coactionwith said gripping elements to detachably mount said receiving means onsaid cover section; and

(e) second locating means carried by said retainer means for coactionwith said first locating means carried by said receiving means to locatesaid receiving means in a predetermined position on to said retainermeans.

8. The container of claim 4 wherein said receptacle means includes (a)wall members defining an article receiving area;

(b) a pair of ears formed on and projecting outwardly from oppositelydisposed portions of said wall members;

(c) a pair of arms each of which is pivotally connected to one of saidears; and

(d) releable securing means adapted to fixedly positioning said arms tosaid base section;

(e) said arms and said releasable securing means being constructed toprovide for relative movement of one with respect to the other when saidsecuring means is released.

9. A carrying case for business machines or the like having dependingsupports disposed thereon in spaced relationship one with respect to theother; comprising (a) a band member having oppositely disposed edgesformed therewith and channels formed in said oppositely disposed edges;

(b) a first body member having an edge adapted to be fixedly securedwithin one of said channels formed in said band member, said first bodymember and said band member constituting a cover section for thecarrying case;

(c) a second body member having an edge adapted to be removably receivedin the other of said channels formed in said band member, said secondbody member constituting a base section for the carrying case;

(d) hinge means interconnecting said base section and said cover sectionfor pivotal movement, one with respect to the other, and permittingmovement thereof from an open condition to a closed condition, said edgeof said second body member seating in said other chanel in said closedcondition;

(e) latch means for releasably securing said base section to said coversection when said sections are in said closed condition;

(f) a plurality of receptacles disposed in spaced relationship, one withrespect to the other, on an inner surface of said base section, eachreceptacle including walls having a spacing and configuration adaptingsame to releasably receive the supports of a business machine;

(g) an insert of flexible material having a configuration approximatingthat of a portion of an inner surface of said first body member andincluding sides adapted to rest upon said one edge of said band member;

(h) locating means formed on said inner surface of said first bodymember;

(i) locating means formed on said insert coacting with said locatingmeans formed on said first body member to properly locate said insertwith respect to said first body member;

(j) said sides of said insert, when said insert is properly located,being adapted to be snapped in position on the edge of said band memberto removably secure said insert within said cover section; and

(k) a pair of rubber bumpers, carried by said insert, said bumpershaving a configuration adapting same to engage a surface of the businessmachine and be slightly compressed by coaction therewith when thebusiness machine is disposed within the carrying case with its supportsproperly located in said receptacles and when the carrying case is insaid closed condition, said compression being of a degree suflicient tocreate reaction forces in said rubber bumpers acting on the businessmachine to prevent movement of the supports of said business machine outof their respective receptacles.

10. A carrying case for business machines or the like having dependingsupports disposed thereon in spaced relationship one with respect to theother; comprising (a) a base section;

(b) a cover section;

(c) hinge means interconnecting said base section and said cover sectionfor pivotal movement, one with respect to the other, and permittingmovement there of from an open condition to a closed condition;

(d) latch means for releasably securing said base section to said coversection when said sections are in said closed condition;

(e) a plurality of receptacles disposed in spaced relationship, one withrespect to the other, on an inner surface of said base section, eachreceptacle including walls having a spacing and configuration adaptingsame to releasably receive the supports of a business machine;

(f) at least one retainer disposed on an inner surface of said coversection;

(g) at least one carrier adapted to be removably secured to saidretainer; and

(h) at least one rubber bumper carried by said carrier and formed to aconfiguration adapting same to engage a surface of the business machineand be slightly compressed by coaction therewith when the businessmachine is disposed in the carrying case with its supports properlypositioned in said receptacles and with the carrying case in said closedcondition, said compression being of a degree sufficient to createreaction forces in said rubber bumper acting on the business machine toprevent movement of the supports of said business machine out of theirrespective receptacles.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,962,177 6/34Dobson "i 24825 20 2,677,341 5/54 Bell 1l2-260 2,861,385 11/58 Childs3l2284 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER ADAPTED TO REMOVABLY RECEIVE AN ARTICLE THEREWITHIN;COMPRISING (A) A FIRST MEMBER; (B) A SECOND MEMBER; (C) INTERCONNECTINGMEANS COACTING WITH SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID SECOND MEMBER TORELEASABLY SECURE ONE TO THE OTHER WITH AN INNER SURFACE OF SAID FIRSTMEMBER DISPOSED IN OPPOSING SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH AN INNER SURFACE OFSAID SECOND MEMBER SO AS TO RECEIVE AN ARTICLE THEREBETWEEN; (D)RECEPTACLE MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER,SAID RECEPTACLE MEANS INCLUDING REACTION SURFACES ADAPTED TO COACT WITHTHE ARTICLE TO LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLE IN DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF SAID INNER SURFACE; AND (E) PRESSURE MEANS,REMOVABLY DISPOSED ON SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING ACONFIGURATION ADAPTING SAME TO EXERT PRESSURE UPON A SURFACE OF THEARTICLE, WHEN THE ARTICLE IS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAIDSECOND MEMBER AND WHEN SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID SECOND MEMBER ARERELEASABLY SECURED TOGETHER, OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND IN A PROPERDIRECTION TO PREVENT THE ARTICLE FROM MOVING IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROMSAID FIRST MEMBER A DISTANCE WHICH WILL SEPARATE THE COACTING PORTIONSOF THE ARTICLE AND SAID RECEPTACLE MEANS.